Parasound has introduced a high-end Compact Disc (CD) player that they say represents a radically different approach to extracting the best possible sound from a CD. The new Parasound Halo CD 1 uses new CD playback and processing technology that is the result of a collaboration between Parasound and Holm Acoustics in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Parasound CD 1 uses a new method for playing CDs that is based on using a CD-ROM drive instead of a conventional CD drive and a Linux-based computer to read and process the CD data. The CD ROM drive in the CD 1 runs at four times the speed of a conventional CD player drive in order to accumulate a vast amount of data. An on-board Intel ITX computer, running the Linux operating system kernel and Holm’s proprietary software dramatically improves the reading of CD disc data. It analyzes CD data and reads every part of a CD as many times as are needed to significantly reduce errors and, accordingly, the negative effects of error concealment. The result, according to Parasound, is a nearly bit-perfect data stream.

The CD 1 includes a ‘Discrete OpAmp’ selector that gives users the option of listening to the analog outputs directly from the low noise National LME49990 op-amps or via discrete transistor output stages. The discrete output stage uses individual transistors in a Darlington configuration that operates in the feedback loops of the LME49990s. This subtly changes the sonic character of the CD 1 and they tell rAVe that there is no “wrong” choice.

The Parasound Halo CD 1 is offered in both traditional Halo silver chassis and the new Halo all black finish and lists for $4,500. Here are all the specs:http://www.gspr.com/parasound/files/Parasound%20CD%201%20white%20paper.pdf